 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Helping those who help others Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The group was the benefactor of $4,382.50 donated by the Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM). The donation represents 50 per cent of the money raised from a silent auction held during a NAM meeting this past spring. The auction featured a variety of items, ranging from carvings, wall hangings and mitts from Pangnirtung to airline tickets and a hockey jersey signed by Jordin Tootoo. Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre executive director George Dunkerley accepted the cheque from Rankin Inlet Mayor Pujjuut Kusugak on behalf of the men's group this past week in Rankin. Dunkerley said Pulaarvik has been the sponsoring organization for Angutiit Makigiangninga for the past two years. He said the centre has supported the group's expansion across the Kivalliq with Health Canada funding. "The men's group has grown from a three-member organization in Coral to a Kivalliq-wide organization during the past 18 months," said Dunkerley. "In addition to Coral, we now have groups working on their own in Arviat, Baker Lake and Repulse Bay, and we've had requests for the men's group to travel to a number of Baffin communities and northern Quebec." Dunkerley said it's a good sign when the group's efforts are recognized. He said as a non-profit organization, Pulaarvik can only go as far as its funders allow it to. "Extra funding, whether it comes from the municipalities or anyone else, allows us to expand our services and carry on after federal funding is exhausted. "We're very impressed with what the Coral men's group has accomplished. "We're actively seeking out federal and territorial funding for that group, as well as for all our programming at the centre. "We've received good reviews at Nunavut's legislative assembly on the work done by the men's groups, as well as through our funders at Health Canada." Dunkerley said positive reviews on the group's work helps with the centre's fundraising activities. He said both the territorial and federal governments want to support activities that work. "Positive exposure proves these kinds of activities work and makes it easier for us when looking for funding." Coral group spokesperson Noel Kaludjak said the members of Angutiit Makigiangninga greatly appreciate the NAM support. He said the money is earmarked for a good cause. "We're going to use that money to put towards the purchase of translation equipment," said Kaludjak. "We work with both unilingual and bilingual men. "Communication is important to what we do and better translations will help us improve our work even more."
|
